Do you need a return ticket to enter Thailand if planning to stay for a few months?

Feb 22, 2022
3 years ago
Elle *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey !

I’ve heard that you’re not allowed to book a 1 way ticket into Thailand although we want to be here a couple of months maybe 3. I know you can extend your visa when you’re out there but what do we do at the airport without a return flight?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the requirement of having an onward or return flight when entering Thailand, especially for those who wish to stay for longer periods, like a few months. While some travelers have circulated advice about the necessity of onward tickets due to airline policies, others share their personal experiences indicating that such requirements are often inconsistently enforced by airlines and immigration officers. Suggestions include booking a cheap ticket out or using services that offer 'dummy' tickets, which can later be canceled.
KK **********
What’s a 24h valid ticket and how do you get that
Drew *******
Sent you a PM.
Alan *******
Why not purchase a 24hrs valid ticket? It's only a few dollars. Sent you a PM
Trevor ***********
@Alan ******
Hi, can you please provide a link? Thank you.
Brian ********
@Trevor **********
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Trevor ***********
@Brian *******
Thank you so much!
Native ****************
I totally understand an onward ticket can be a pain, specially when one doesn't intend to use it, so prior to my travel I read an article in World Nomads that recommended successfully using BestOnwardTickets.com. I've travelled to Thailand endless times in the past 10 years and was never asked for an Onward Ticket before, but this last time in Dec 2021, the over zealous agent on the last leg of my 3 stop journey did ask and also did check on the computer to make sure and happy to report, the booking was there, thus No issue. Good to note, with a simple email request you can get your Onward Booking extended to 21 days. Hope this helps and safe travels!
Douglas ************
Buy a cheap ticket out of Thailand.
Russell ***********
the only hurdle is the airline check-in staff, just blag it by saying you are crossing the border by bus in 30 days & sound like you know what your doing
Fred *********
I flight to Thailand I booked a dummie flight to Singapore and they never asked for it :(
Fred *********
I flight to Thailand I booked a dummie flight to Singapore and they never asked for it :(
Paul ********
Buy open Ticket n Begpack
Greg ********
I’ve traveled five of the last six years always on a one-way ticket and never once have I ever been asked

now that doesn’t mean that you won’t be asked but it hasn’t happened to me

and if they tell me I need a return ticket I’ll tell them the truth I plan my vacations on the fly, I don’t know what country I want to go to next, Japan Vietnam Singapore Indonesia etc.
Bobby ********
Greg Wieder. You don't need a return ticket. An onward ticket to any destination will suffice. Happened twice to me and had to buy a ticket at the airport. I just bought an expensive fully-refundable ticket, and cancelled it before the charge hit my credit card. Too easy
Mikaela ******
@Bobby *******
the charge doesn't hit the credit card immediately upon processing? How did you do it?
Bobby ********
Mikaela Kwee. The charge sits in "pending" for several days. Before it is cleared the refund has already been processed. Plus you have around 25 days from the end of the billing cycle to pay the balance and incur no credit charges. Easy!
Greg ********
@Bobby *******
I actually meant either return or onward

I’ve never done anything but one way and never been asked

But I’m sure like you said some people including yourself have been I guess it’s just all up to the agent at immigration
James **************
Get cheapest exit flight. Doesnt hv to ne return. Or get 60 dayTV and extend by 30 at immi. That was all before covid tho....
Niall ********
I arrived on a one way ticket too but I understand that you might be nervous of being asked about your plans after the expiration of your visas. What you could do is book a cheap ticket to a neighbouring country like Laos or Malaysia and cancel it after you arrive. That’s what I did, flight to Kuala Lumpur from bkk I think was about €60, I cancelled it the day after I arrived in bkk.
Rhett *********
You can buy a flight out to Singapore for peanuts,they don’t care where you fly out to,problem solved.
Mayo **************
It always depend on the airlines and the immigration officer. Sometimes they ask, sometimes they don’t. Just book a return ticket and cancel it later if you don’t need it. It’s easier than having trouble at the airport.
Ross ********
Flown to Thailand 20+ times....only once asked for onward ticket and that was at check-in in Danang for vietjet airlines
Matthew ******
Had to buy a ticket to the Philippines or any other country on the spot
Pauline *******
It's the Airlines who generally ask about an onward flight at check-in.
Miki *******
Fake ticket online …
Andrew ********
Actually those have been the rules for many years but were mostly ignored by immigration untill covid.
Michael ********
@Andrew *******
Its mainly airlines stopping you always has been.
Zap **********
We came in visa exempt 30 days and were asked to show onward ticket (within 30 days if arrival)when checking in for flight with Singapore airlines. Your flight out does not have to be your home country. Also note on arrival they can ask to show you have equivalent of 20,000 baht in $$ per person.
Zap **********
@Wangmo *******
no have the money on you. For example we brought US dollars equivalent to 20,000 baht plus per person.
Wang ****
@Michelle ***********
oh I see thanks for info :)
Zap **********
@Wangmo *******
show them a copy of your flight booking confirmation
Wang ****
@Michelle ***********
thanks ..I mean the equivalent of 20k baht ? Is it must print out the bank statement?
Wang ****
@Michelle ***********
how do u prove this ?
Michael ********
Added your post to topic.

There is plenty of discussion about this including links for buying dummy tickets and cheap onward tickets
Bobby ********
If you're entering on a longstay visa you don't need an onward flight. It's only tourism visas/exempt which require this
Tony ******
@Bobby *******
Is a 90 day Non O based on marriage considered a long stay visa?
Bobby ********
Tony Ryan. Yes
Bonnie *******
@Elle ********
you just have to book an outbound flight that you can cancel
Dimitri ********
Some airlines allow you to change dates for free. It is the only nice thing Covid gave us...
Terary **********
cheap flight to anyplace. Singapore, PP will serve as onward travel.

Back in the day, you could buy bus tickets. I have hear rumors of land borders opening. Although, who know if/when that will be.
Michael ********
@Terary *********
Malaysia supposed to be end of month, but not sure now with rising cases
Elle *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dimitri *******
we’ve booked a 1 way already so I’m not sure what to do!
Phillip ********
@Elle ********
if get a tourist visa prior to leaving, one way ticket should be ok
Garrett ***********
@Phillip *******
Tourist visas need a return ticket.
Stephen **********
@Garrett **********
where there is a requirement it’s for an ONWARD ticket, NOT specifically a return!

Please pay attention to the crucial differences in semantics.
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